Osprey - Maryland / Chesapeake Bay

[GCG]

Update from the Chesapeake Conservancy............................

"Mrs. Crazy Osprey Man confirmed that the female osprey we've  seen over the past several days is a 'new' Audrey. Let's welcome home Audrey 3!
This isn't the first time we've had a new osprey on the nest. Audrey 2 was featured on the nest since 2010, and our current Tom is Tom 3, since 2015. For naming purposes and consistency, the birds that inhabit this nest are called Tom & Audrey.
We're looking forward to a productive & exciting season! Don't miss a single moment with the link below."

https://www.chesapeakeconservancy.org/ospreycam

[GCG]

It has been now confirmed that Audrey has returned and "reunited" with Tom. They are diligently again building the nest, a stick here and a stick there. Some with the colored ribbons tied on by those who frequent this area.

  https://www.chesapeakeconservancy.org/ospreycam

[GCG]

https://chesapeakeconservancy.org/what-we-do/explore/wildlife-webcams/osprey/

Tom and Audrey are again the returnees at this site. When they arrived, they began rebuilding their nest. At the end of the every season, all that remains of the nest is removed and awaits the Osprey. The nest appears to be complete and Audrey should begin to lay her eggs soon.

[GCG]

Last year the eggs didn't hatch. They replaced the eggs with two fosters that thrived and fledged.

[susha]

Oh, that's so sad!  I just saw the one remaining little chick.  Hope he/she's safe!

Didn't eagles raid this nest last year or the year before?  Seems I heard somewhere that there are a number of eagles' nests in the area.  I love both eagles and ospreys.  Wish they didn't have to eat each other.

[GCG]

Last night one chick was lost to an intruder. Following is a post from the Chesapeake Conservancy...........................

Chesapeake Conservancy

Crazy Osprey Man reviewed the footage from last night and provided the following report:

9:48:10 pm Audrey, (I believe) is sitting on nest facing south, nothing unusual
 9:48:12 pm a large bird (perhaps an owl?) in flight, so image is blurred, approaching from the north, knocks Audrey from nest, she struggles to hold on to side of nest and is able to pull herself back into nest.
 9:48:22 Audrey looks into nest and immediately appears to realize something is wrong
 9:48:24 Audrey stands on side of nest, wings partially spread and continues to look around and starts squawking (Where are you Tom??) Tom does not appear
 9:49 Movement in nest from one chick
 9:53 Audrey still looking into nest and around the area
 9:59 Audrey settles back into nest

[GCG]

There are two chicks with one egg to hatch. Surprisingly, they hatched even though on a couple of occasions the eggs were unattended for hours in cool, rainy conditions. 

[burdi]

What a beautiful slow motion video! Thanks GCG.

[susha]

Beautiful!  Thanks for sharing GCG!

[GCG]

The Chesapeake Conservancy shared this amazing video of an Osprey capturing a fish and the difficulties they encounter getting airborne again. Just had to share.

https://www.facebook.com/BBCScotland/videos/1311855065510922/

[GCG]

The Chesapeake Conservancy has posted some information about Audrey's absence and the possibility of a repeat of last year, including fostering again.

https://ospreycamerablog.wordpress.com/2016/05/12/beautiful-noise/

[GCG]

Audrey is still sitting on the eggs. Apparently, an eagle has been seen sitting in a nearby tree and they think that is the reason Tom and Audrey left the eggs unattended. Tom has been dive bombing the eagle. Hope the eggs are still viable.

[GCG]

Only time will tell if her eggs are still viable. If not, will they again replace them with foster chicks?

[burdi]

  Someone is back and sitting on the eggs - but not sure who - as it's been a while since I've watched this nest.

[burdi]

I'm feeling very sad about Tom and Audrey.